A radiant heater is remarkably useful for warming a small room during even the coldest days. A radiant heater is a space heater, but there are major differences in how each space heater functions. The most common type is a convection heater, which has a fan to circulate hot air around a room, to heat the room quickly. But these are very unsafe and can actually lead to fires because of the heat that they emit. Radiant heating works in a very different way, and in doing so, tends to be much safer.
A portable radiant heater works by using quartz coils inside the unit to produce energy that is then converted into heat energy. Unlike a convection heater, the warmth is then transferred to the objects in the area, opposed to the air. This creates a warmer environment, as all the objects in the area become much warmer, which in turn will warm the room. A radiant heater takes longer to work, but is much safer than a convection model.
However, an electric radiant heater can’t warm as large of an area as a convection heater. Radiant heat is best used in much smaller areas, and in closer proximity to the area in which you’ll need the heat. If you want a little extra warmth at night when you go to bed, the heater will need to be placed fairly close to your bedside, in order for it to work. This can present a small problem, as the unit tends to get very warm, so if you find yourself making any late night journeys in the dark, you could accidentally burn yourself, by bumping into a radiant heater. But that can actually become an advantage.
As a radiant space heater won’t heat a larger room, or even the whole of a smaller room, they are great for the workplace. If you find that your office tends to be a little cold, but you’re the only one that shares that opinion, this type of heat can help. Even if a co-worker is sitting a few feet away from you, they won’t feel the effects of your radiant heater, and you can sit in comfort away from the cold. This is a great way to avoid disturbing anyone else, but create a more comfortable environment for yourself.
Radiant heaters come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so there’s more than likely to be a few that will shape to your needs. There are tower models, which provide a height advantage as well as the ability to be placed in a smaller area. Also the more popular rectangular model which sits close to the floor, and is great for heating a floor to avoid any uncomfortably cold barefoot winter moments. Most fall into the price range of $50, usually up to $100. Any store that has standard home items should have a pretty good selection of space heaters. Also the average radiant heater tends to be less expensive than a convection heater, one more advantage.